₦airaland Forum

The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that the appointments of citizens of the state into strategic federal positions and the ongoing infrastructure being executed in the state by the Federal Government explains the massive support President Muhammadu Buhari receives from the people.

Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free zone Authority, OGFZA, Mr. Umana Okon Umana who made the disclosure, while briefing newsmen yesterday in Uyo, said that the party was fully prepared and ready for the flag off of the presidential campaign on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Umana who is the Chairman Central Planning Committee for the presidential rally said that the presidential rally would further demonstrate the support Buhari enjoys in the state.

His words: “So far, the feedback we are getting from our members, from all over Akwa Ibom, other states of Nigeria, we know that that stadium is going to be filled to capacity. Also, feedback from the people of Akwa Ibom State shows that they are very excited and enthusiastic and are ready to receive Mr. President.


“It is very clear that the support President Muhammadu Buhari enjoys from Akwa Ibom State is massive and we will be demonstrated further on Friday.”




Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/why-buhari-enjoys-massive-support-of.html?m=1

What do you think?

The presidency on Wednesday, December 26, in Abuja advised the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against making President Muhammadu Buhari’s family an issue in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, who gave the advice in an interaction with State House correspondents, said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would gladly accept the challenge if the PDP failed to adhere to the advice.

While reacting to various comments by several organs of the opposition party on remarks made by the president on views publicly expressed by his wife, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari in an interview, the presidential spokesman said questions raised of the president by the PDP in regard to his wife only amounted to an own goal.

“If the opposition Peoples Democratic Party wants to make family the issue in the coming elections, the APC would gladly accept the challenge. Let this be the subject for 2019 election,’’ he said.


He added that the PDP leadership could not afford to make family an issue in this campaign.

“The only thing I want to add is that PDP is engaging in mud-slinging because it finds it easier than speaking on their despicable 16-year record in the course of which they abused the trust of Nigerians.

“They made a mess of everything including the economy, security and infrastructure. It has come to the destiny of President Muhammadu Buhari to correct their mistakes. The PDP doesn’t see anything beyond grabbing power, power at all costs. As an opposition party, they have failed,’’ he added.

The presidential aide further stated that the PDP had remained disconnected with the masses in the country.

According to him, it is an irony that a party that boasted as being the largest in Africa is now begging small parties for alliances, saying that even if they get all those `paper parties’ behind them, they will still fail.

Shehu opined that a presidential contest was more than the issuance of daily press releases containing falsehoods.

“They have launched a campaign for the presidency, a campaign that has failed to get any traction. PDP members are themselves admitting that the campaign hadn’t made a good start, that attendance at rallies had unarguably been thin. The whole thing is not working; that President Buhari is unstoppable,’’ he said.

According to him, the PDP does not have the strength and support to fight President Buhari. He added that they don’t have the records in security, economy and the war against corruption to mount any meaningful challenge.

"In the 16 years they held sway, they have nothing to show for the colossal oil revenues earned, including 16 billion dollars doled upfront from the Central Bank for power, without a single megawatt to show for all that money. That is why they are dragging the President’s wife into their politics," Shehu stated.

Wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, had on December 4 revealed that two men in the Buhari administration had hijacked the Buhari administration.

Aisha, who spoke at a leadership conference tagged; 'Project 4 + 4’ in Abuja, challenged Nigerians to fight the “two or three people who have dominated this government.”

But, President Buhari challenged all those making allegations about a cabal pulling the strings in his government to unveil the cabal and prove their allegation. Buhari threw the challenge in a yet-to-be aired interview with the Hausa Service of the Voice of America.

In a short teaser of the interview released on social media on Monday, December 24, Buhari was asked to clear the several allegations by his wife, Aisha and others that he was not in control of the government.

“That’s her business,” the president retorted, in the report. He added that, “I am a true democrat by allowing everybody to have an opinion.’’

However, the People Democratic Party advised the president not run away from the allegation levelled against him by his wife.






Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/leave-buharis-family-out-of-2019.html?m=1

Do you agree with him?

A former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Ibrahim Kasai, has revealed why retired military Generals like former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, and T. Y. Danjuma are against the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kassai claimed that the former generals are against Buhari because they fear he may not renew their oil licences.

He said: “I have said it, most of them are into oil business and Buhari is likely not going to renew their licenses, he is taking on policies that will better the masses in the country and those in oil business are just few; they are mostly retired Generals. So, if you are trying to spread the resources to a particularly group, they will fight it.

“In politics, there is class and class struggle, if you observe very well you will see that people in a particularly class fight to remain in that class and always fight to move up to the upper class, and this is what is playing out ahead of the 2019 election.


“If they notice that you intend to take what they have, they will fight it.

“He is not saying they are doing illegal business, he is simply suggesting that this resources belong to all of us and it should go round, he is not saying that they have done anything wrong.”

On the outcome of the 2019 presidential election, the former Ambassador insisted that Buhari will defeat the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar in the North-East.

“Let me tell you that General Buhari is more popular in the Northeast than Atiku. Go to Adamawa State today, you will discover that he is more popular than Atiku and if you go to the Northwest, you will see that Buhari is still very popular and command strong followership,” he said.




Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/why-obasanjo-babangida-ty-danjuma-are.html?m=1

Do you agree with him?

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the people of Yorubaland to ensure they vote for President Muhammadu Buhari for reelection assuring them that the victory of Buhari would guarantee a sure ticket for Yoruba presidency come 2023.

Osinbajo said this yesterday when he visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi in his palace.

He said, “Yoruba have a crucial role to play in the 2019 elections so ensure that APC wins. We are looking at 2023. If we don’t do well in 2019, the opportunity might evade us. We should be forward-looking and not spoil our future by allowing those who had plundered our nation to come back to government. They have been coalescing again to continue the plunder but God shall not allow them. If one is building a house, he has to construct a very solid foundation. The foundation might not be easily noticed but when it is built on, the house will emerge.

“What I know about President Buhari is that he is an honest person and he is trustworthy. Whatever he says he will do, he always strive to do it. If we look at the level of corruption that had taken place, it was humongous. We should not allow it to continue again”, Osinbajo appealed.


When he met with traders in the town, he dismissed a rumour on alleged collection of PVC of eligible voters.

“Some people are saying that APC is collecting traders’ PVC and BVN. It is all lies. The money we give is transferred through phone without collecting any such details from anybody. Don’t fall for their antics”, Osinbajo cautions.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi said that Oyo State is peaceful and enjoying better security compared to the era of past governments because Alaafin is on ground. He is unarguably the most intellectual and intelligent Kabiyesi in the whole of Yorubaland. Baba is a friend of APC. Once he is behind one, all the elements both spiritual and physical are in one’s support. This coming 2019 elections is between Hausa and Yoruba on one hand and Hausa and Ibo on the other side. It is only a bastard in Yorubaland that will not support APC. The glutton on the opposite side has wasted our resources yet they want to come back. Don’t allow them”, Ajimobi pleaded.

The monarch, described Osinbajo as a true son of Yorubaland and a true representative of the Yorubaland.

Alaafin said, “God will do for us what we are expecting in the nearest future. He also lauded Ajimobi for entrenching the culture of peace and security in Oyo State against what had been experienced before the inception of the present administration.

In attendance were the gubernatorial candidate of the APC Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Senator Teslim Folarin, Olufemi Ojudu, Retired Arch Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu, Chief Imam of Oyo Town Sheik Abdulganiy Ajokidero, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi and many other candidates of the party ahead of the 2019 elections.




Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buharis-reelection-sure-ticket-for.html?m=1

What do you think?

Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has faulted the position of opposition party that the Tradermoni and market money schemes under the Federal Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme is meant to lure the electorate to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress APC.

Professor Osinbajo stated this while fielding questions from journalists at the Asaba International Airport, Asaba on his way back to Abuja after visiting Warri and Asaba.

He said it was worrisome that some persons would think that the Tradermoni and market money empowerment programmes of the Federal government was a ploy to seek for votes.

The Vice President said the funds for the empowerment programmes was duly approved by the National Assembly which is strictly meant to assist market men and women enhance their businesses without any ulterior motives.

“The scheme was duly approved by the National Assembly, if they don’t like the empowerment programmes because they are on the other side then it calls for concern “.

Professor Osinbajo maintained that the federal government was expanding the scope of the Tradermoni and visited Ogbogonogo market in Asaba to interact with the beneficiaries and market men and women.

The Vice President had earlier arrived at the Asaba International Airport at 5.27 pm amidst cheers by supporters and stakeholders of the APC who had thronged the airport.

The Minister of Petroleum State, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, former Governor of Delta State and APC Senatorial Candidate for Delta South, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, APC Governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru arrived Asaba with the Vice President from Warri.

Professor Osibanjo’s convoy went straight to Ogbogonogo market and went round the market acknowledging cheers from traders and onlookers.

He interacted with some market men and women on their businesses and enjoined them to inject the fund into their businesses as there was greatness in little beginnings.






Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/tradermoni-osibanjo-faults-oppositions.html?m=1

Do you agree with him?

A former senator and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2019 election in Enugu Sate, Sen. Ayogu Eze has condemned Wednesday’s incidence at the National Assembly where President Muhammadu Buhari was booed by opposition lawmakers during his presentation of the 2019 appropriation to a joint sitting of the assembly.

Speaking Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Eze asked members of the national assembly to tender an apology to Nigerians over what he described as a show of shame.

He said it was unprecedented for members of the National Assembly who pride themselves as the true representatives of the people to descend to a level where they left Nigerians with the difficult task of distinguishing between them and kindergarten delinquents, arguing that their actions had portrayed our hallowed assembly as a place where people serve only their selfish interest.

“These are fathers and mothers of adults and children who were probably sitting in front of their television sets watching these unguarded conducts. How would they explain their behavior on live television to their spouses and children? What examples were they setting for a nation that looks up to them for leadership?”,Sen. Eze queried.


Sen. Eze said the National Assembly owes the people of Nigeria an apology for “this show of shame”, adding that nothing on earth can justify disrespecting the “president while performing one of his most sacred constitutional responsibilities of charting a course of how the ship of state would be moved in the next 12 months.”

He said the unfortunate thing is that the same people who are expected to process and pass this budget for the benefit of Nigerians were too preoccupied with their noisy chants to be able to listen to the details of the budget, arguing that “the net effect of this disruptive conduct will show during the budget defense and passage when the items in the budget would appear completely alien to most of them.”

He commended the president for his statesmanship and for not losing his cool even in the face of the uninvited provocation. He said: “The President’s poise and carriage portrayed him as a mature statesman, who even in the face of a very unfortunate situation did not lose his composure and confidence. It showed him as the leader Nigeria needs to navigate these turbulent times.”

Urging the President not to lose focus in his determination to reposition Nigeria to continue to play her leading role of serving as the engine of growth on the African continent, Sen. Eze tasked his fellow lawmakers to always resist the temptation of allowing personal issues to becloud their sense of patriotism and nationalism, arguing that budget presentation is a solemn national assignment that no Nigerian should toy with.

“We know the legislature as the amphitheater of debate and reasoning but certainly not an arena to play to the gallery in the hope of hoodwinking the electorate into electing or re-electing us to our desired offices “, Sen. Eze said, adding: “We as legislators must always resist the temptation to descend to theatrics on the floor of the National Assembly no matter how hotly we feel about the issues in the polity.”

Sen. Eze also said it was worrisome for the legislators to disrespect their own leadership to the extend of disallowing them to speak on such an important occasion, even after disobeying the best efforts of the presiding officers to call them to order throughout the entire budget presentation, arguing that what they did was an indirect vote of no confidence in the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly.





Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/national-assembly-must-apologize-to.html?m=1

Do you agree with him?

President Muhammadu Buhari says the recent statistics reeled out by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that his administration is doing well.

Buhari said this on Wednesday during a Gala Night organised by beneficiaries of the government’s Anchor Borrowers Programme held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The President said this barely hours after the NBS announced that the number of unemployed persons of working age had risen to 20.9 million.

He said that statistics from the NBS has confirmed that his administration’s policies are yielding results.

Buhari said he inherited, “A broken system in the agricultural sector in 2015”.

After hearing testimonies from some rice farmers, the President said, “Seeing your faces and hearing your stories give me hope. Today, we are on the track to achieving an all-inclusive economy.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, had said Buhari had ordered the Statistician-General of the NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale, to change the high unemployment statistics and reflect the rising rate of employment in the agriculture sector.

Shehu said during a recent meeting with the Federal Executive Council, Kale admitted that the NBS was only focusing on the creation of white collar jobs and not the agriculture sector and the informal sector.

“Rice Producers Association of Nigeria made the open claim and nobody has challenged them up until the time that we speak, that they had created 12 million new jobs,” Shehu had said.

Kale, however, denied ever making such a claim.

The United States Department of Agriculture World Markets and Trade had said last month that Nigeria imported three million metric tons of rice in 2018.

The US report had said the import figure is 400,000 metric tonnes higher than the quantity of the product that was imported in 2017.

The report also stated that Nigeria’s local rice production dropped from 2016 to 2018 compared to the situation in 2015.

The report ran contrary to several claims by the Nigerian Government that local rice production had increased while importation had dropped by up to 90 per cent.





Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/nbs-statistics-shows-were-making.html

NOC1:
He has performed very well in the transportation sector, Amaechi might be corrupt but he is an achiever even from his days as a Governor till today as a Minister.

True talk.

President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to make the country’s aviation industry a pride in Africa.

He said the federal government owed Chinese government $69.3million counterpart fund for the construction of four airports under the project.

The four airports are Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The President, at the commissioning of the new terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, in Abuja, said his target was to make Nigerian Aviation industry a pride in the continent.


He said, “I wish to assure you therefore, that Government remains committed to developing Nigeria into Regional air transportation hub and thereby assuming its leadership in the aviation sub sector in Africa.”

“This Administration recognises aviation as a catalyst for economic growth and as such will continue to encourage and support the actualization of projects that will place Nigerian Airports amongst the best in the world.”

With the commissioning of the new Terminal, Buhari said that the country was moving towards achieving and meeting global aviation standards in facilitation, passenger processing and service delivery in tandem with international best practices.

“It gives me great pleasure to be here for the formal commissioning of the new Terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This event represents yet another significant milestone for International air travellers in and out of the Federal Capital Territory, he stated, he said.”

He recalled that the Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika had given him his words to have the new terminal commissioned before the end of December 2018 which he has fulfilled.

“You will recall that on the 25th October, 2018, I commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal. During the event, the Honourable Minister of State (Aviation) stated that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal, Abuja would be completed and ready for commissioning before the end of the year. Today, that promise has been kept. I wish to commend the Honourable Minister and his team for a job well done.”

“This event today, reflects Government’s deliberate policy to sustain the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure. We are gradually closing the infrastructural deficit bedevilling our country.”

“Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal is the first airport terminal to be connected to rail transport system in the Country and indeed in the region. This has provided passengers and other airport users with a choice in the mode of transport to and from the city centre. I recall taking a ride from the City Metro station to the Airport on the day the rail line was commissioned.”

He thanked the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi, the Chines government, China and the China Exim Bank and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, their financial support and the various roles they played leading to the successful completion of the project.

Hadi Sirika on his part, pleaded with Mr. President to intervene in the outstanding payment of the counterpart fund of $69.3m out of the $100m Nigeria was to pay for the project

According to him, “We are committed to rounding up the project soon, the contractor has gone ahead to implement it as approved, but recently slowed down the pace of work due to non-payment of $69.3m counterpart funding by government. May I respectfully at this point, request Mr President’s kind intervention in this regard, please.”

He explained,” This is the second in the series of Airport terminals to be commissioned from the projects funded by the China-Exim bank loan of $500m with a counterpart funding of $100m from the debt management office.”

The Minister further stated, ” From political and economic perspectives, this airport is very strategic to Nigeria not only because it is the gateway to the nations capital but also because it the second busiest airport in the country and the fastest growing in passenger traffic in West and Central Africa, with an average growth rate of 8%, where the world average growth is 5.8%.”

On the number of passengers that patronized the airport, he stated,” The Airport processed 5,709,012 passengers in 2017. This volume equals to about 13 times the total number of passengers recorded by Ghana as a country.”

“The terminal building has annual passenger capacity of 15m covering a space of approximately 56,000m2. It also has the following facilities as well as capabilities; 72 check-in counters: 5 baggage collection carousels: 28 immigration desks at arrival and 16 at departure: 8 security screening points and 8 passenger boarding bridges ”

Others benefits of the terminal, he added, has a walkway to link the FCT metro rail: additional apron for remote parking of aircraft and a linkway to domestic wing and many other facilities that are properly designed and laid out in accordance with modern requirements for airport operations.

Sirika further thanked Mr President for approving the second phase of the project.

“Mr President will recall FEC approval of the second tranche for the funding of the phase two of this project in the sum of $461,795,551.02.”

He continued, “The phase takes into cognisance, additional facilities that will enhance airport efficiency. These includes but not limited to construction of additional apron: Multi-level car park: Fire station: Additional boarding bridges: Connection between the old and the new terminals, Facility and boarding bridge to accommodate Airbus A380, and the phase two also includes completion of Kano and Lagos terminals.”




Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/president-buhari-vows-to-make-aviation.html?m=1

We hope the president can demonstrate more that he loves Nigeria.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has heaped praised on his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari as he turned 76 on Monday.

Osinbajo who is in Vienna, Austria to participate in the Africa-Europe High-Level Forum with other African and European Heads of States or Government, described Buhari as a man who genuinely loves Nigeria.

Osinbajo alongside Buhari are seeking a second term in office in the forthcoming general elections billed for February 2019.

Sending his greetings, Osinbajo took to Twitter and wrote,. “To a man, who has been exemplary in life and his commitment to Nigeria,” he tweeted along with a painted sketch of Buhari.

He added that, “To a man who has a great sense of humour,” he said of Buhari who had three failed attempts to be President.

“To a man who genuinely loves the Nigerian people and to a man I am privileged to call Boss, Happy 76th Birthday!” Osinbajo wrote.

President Buhari was born in Daura on 17 December 1942, and after his early education in both Daura and Katsina, he joined the army in 1961.

After initial training at the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) now known as Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Buhari went for cadet training at from 1962 to 1963 at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England.

He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at the age of 20, and appointed Platoon Commander of the Second Infantry Battalion in Abeokuta.

From then on, his military career blossomed. At the head of several commands, before, during and after the civil war, Buhari in 1973 attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India.

After the 1975 coup that brought Murtala Muhammed to power, Buhari was appointed governor of the North Eastern state, where he is now leading, as civilian president and commander-in-chief, a charge of Nigerian troops against Boko Haram insurgency, since 2015.

In 2003, Buhari had his first shot at the presidency. He did not win. He tried again in 2007 and 2011 and again failed to win. On his fourth attempt in 2015 alongside Prof Osinbajo, he made the record as the first challenger to defeat an incumbent in the presidential election in Nigeria.








Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buhari-has-great-humour-genuinely-loves.html?m=1

Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buhari-is-tafawa-balewa-of-our-time.html

yarimo:
BUHARI is everything good of our time

Seems as so.

Source:
http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/buhari-is-tafawa-balewa-of-our-time.html?m=1

Do you agree with them?

Dr Tom Okihere, Coordinator of APC BroomPlatForm, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari shares the same attributes with Nigeria’s first prime minister, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Okihere made this known in Bauchi when members of the platform on tour of Bauchi State visited the tomb of the late prime minister.

“What we have discovered here now is the similarity in character and leadership virtues of the late Tafawa Balewa and President Muhammadu Buhari.

“They are alike in description; Buhari is so simple, Buhari is so down to earth, Buhari is a man of the people.

“And what you have read in the summary of life and time of Tafawa Balewa is all about his character and virtues.

“So in President Buhari we have found another Tafawa Balewa of blessed memory; we have found the president of the people,’’ he stated.

The coordinator, therefore, called on Nigerians to re-elect Buhari in the forthcoming general elections to enable him to consolidate on his achievements and the gains so far made.

“Our leader, President Buhari, the leaders of the APC, the leaders the Nigerian nation have to come back by 2019 to fully deliver this country from the hands of economic saboteurs.

“The electorate have no choice but to support the people’s mandate, which is Buhari and his governor,” he said.

The BroomPlatform is a support group of the APC, made up of more than journalists.

The group aims to promote political integrity of the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari and progressive governors.

What do you think?

This is the speech delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari to the joint sitting of the National Assembly on the 2019 budget presentation.



READ FULL SPEECH BELOW



This is my last Budget Speech to the 8th National Assembly.



“Today, we will review economic development over the last three-and-a-half years with emphasis on 2018. We will also highlight the budget for 2019.





“The last three-and-a-half years have been challenging both home and abroad. Both oil and non-oil markets have been volatile. There have been disruptions in oil production in the country.



However, we have cause to be optimistic about the future. The economy has recovered from recession. We have done more work with less resources in Agriculture, Social Development and Infrastructure.



We have intervened several times to support states in the payment of salaries. The Federal Government has also sustained its efforts to curb corruption through the comprehensive cooperation of the single treasury account.



We have also made efforts to end the insurgencies in affected areas of the country. We thank the Armed Forces and Security Agencies for their efforts and sacrifices in protecting the nation.



We have also made many efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in public service delivery. Inflation has declined from 18.2% in January to 11.28% in November. Foreign Capital Influence has also improved.



Trading is a significant contributor to our country’s economy. But we must strengthen other areas such as Information Technology and Entertainment; all hands must be on deck to ensure the country succeeds.



In Agriculture, we are seeing increased investments in all areas of the sector. Indeed, we are on course to achieve good security in the nearest future.



We also prioritized the completion of already ongoing projects as opposed to starting new ones.



We have included the implementation for the National Minimum Wage. I will be sending a Bill to this National Assembly, on this.



To further support SME’s, we have set aside N15 billion, while the sum of N10 billion has been granted to BOI for this purpose.



I hereby present and lay the 2019 Budget to the floor of the National Assembly for consideration and passage.



We can all commit to the early passage of this Bill.



I thank you most sincerely for your attention. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.






Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/2019-budget-full-speech-of-president.html

Looks like a needless drama.

The anticipated presentation of the 2019 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly has been delayed due to plans by some lawmakers to protest.

The lawmakers, mostly from the opposition parties, were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions into the chamber.

The budget presentation was scheduled for 12 noon.

The lawmakers were still in an executive session at the time of this report at 12:20 p.m. It was learnt that the session was to appeal to the lawmakers not to embarrass the president.


However, the situation appeared to have been brought under control by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Reps), Kawu Samaila.

The presidential aide was seen retrieving the placards from some of the aggrieved lawmakers.

While the executive session went on, a loyalist of the president, Gudaji Kazaure, came out and was heard speaking in Hausa saying “we will not allow anyone to embarrass the president.”

He rained curses on those planning to do so.




Source: http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/breaking-buharis-2019-budget.html?m=1

Lipscomb:
Sir Nigerians also grateful to you.

�

StillX10:
I don't think this man understands the meaning of peace

Why do say so?

Who knows.

Looks like Saint Obi might have some skeletons in his cupboard afterall.

What do you think?

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said that Nigeria was a typical example of how troublemakers were using various media platforms to propagate negative and divisive messages.

President Buhari has also directed the Bank of Industry and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank to engage members of the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria, MOPPAN, to release affordable working capital to them.

Speaking with members of MOPPAN at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President noted with regret that some of the negative reports have led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

According to him, “Nigeria today is a clear example of how a few trouble makers are using various media platforms to propagate negative and divisive messages. In some instances, these mischievous acts have led to lives being destroyed, homes broken and communities divided.”


He acknowledged the progress made by MOPPAN despite the challenges, adding that their journey so far was commendable and congratulated them for continued commitment and determination to succeed.

He said, “Today, millions rely on your industry when it comes to current affairs and social issues. I am informed that your output reaches up to 70 million people across many countries within and outside Africa.

“Such outreach means you have a moral and professional obligation to ensure that your storytelling is not only entertaining but also addresses serious matters affecting societies today.

“I am glad to learn that you refer to yourselves as entertainers and educators. This means you are very much aware of your responsibilities to propagate positive messages to your audience.

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that entertainers, regulators and censorship boards do the right thing by insisting on observation of cultural norms and protection of national interest.

“I have been informed of the progress made on your interactions with the Moroccan entertainment industry.

“As you are aware, Nigeria in the last two years has established a mutually beneficial relationship with the Kingdom of Morocco especially in the Agricultural sector.”

Continuing, Buhari said, “In our engagements, I learnt that Morocco also has a vibrant film industry that is globally recognized as a shining example of Africa’s entertainment capability.

“Based on this, I have directed that, in addition to agriculture, Nigeria should also explore potential partnership opportunities with the Moroccan entertainment industry.

“I understand some of you were part of the various delegations, at both Federal and State levels, to have visited Morocco to explore partnership opportunities in the last 12 months.

“As you may be aware, I have signed an instrument of ratification of the World Intellectual Property Organization on audio-visual performances.

“On funding, I have already directed the Bank of Industry and the Nigeria Export – Import Bank to engage your sector by providing affordable working capital. This funding will unlock some of the trapped potentials in the entertainment industry, leading to growth.

“Furthermore, I am tasking the Minister of Finance and Governor of Central Bank to ensure that these financial institutions immediately commence the engagement.




http://www.nigerianeye.com/2018/12/trouble-makers-using-media-platforms-to.html?showComment=1545132953743&m=1#c3514968595785840083